Imagine having to pay a large amount of money just to see how many likes your recent selfie on Instagram got or to access research for a homework assignment. This is what our future will look like if Net Neutrality is killed.
Net Neutrality is the law that the corporation connecting you to the internet (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, etc.) does not get to control what you do on the internet. Without this principle, your Internet service providers (ISP) can direct traffic by making some sites run faster than others and charging extra to have access to basic sites.
Even though this has been an ongoing issue for years, Net Neutrality was protected by rules placed in 2015 because millions of activists pressured the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to adopt Net Neutrality rules that keep the internet free and open for all. However in May 2017, the FCC voted to progress Trump’s FCC chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to destroy Net Neutrality so that cable companies can profit off all their customers. Since then, millions of people have been urging the FCC to preserve the existing net neutrality rules for its final decision on December 14.
Net Neutrality is the law that the corporation connecting you to the internet (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, etc.) does not get to control what you do on the internet. Without this principle, your Internet service providers (ISP) can direct traffic by making some sites run faster than others and charging extra to have access to basic sites.
Even though this has been an ongoing issue for years, Net Neutrality was protected by rules placed in 2015 because millions of activists pressured the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to adopt Net Neutrality rules that keep the internet free and open for all. However in May 2017, the FCC voted to progress Trump’s FCC chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to destroy Net Neutrality so that cable companies can profit off all their customers. Since then, millions of people have been urging the FCC to preserve the existing net neutrality rules for its final decision on December 14.
Killing Net Neutrality goes against the democracy that America stands for. It disrupts the free economic market by allowing cable companies to decide which websites and applications to block if there is competition with their own offerings. These companies can then make people pay a lot more money to use basic websites, which builds a strict separation between those who can afford it and those who can not. The wealthy will be able to afford all the content and websites allowing them to have more education and information, whereas those who are already financially struggling will not be able to access the resources needed to escape poverty. Creativity will also become limited in the public realm since many working artists, photographers, bloggers, and other content creators may not be able to afford the platform to showcase their work.
The impact of removing Net Neutrality would be devastating for marginalized people. An LGBT teen still in the closet may not be able to access websites that offer help and support because his/her parents can not pay for that package since they are unaware their child is seeking information. People of color, religious minorities, and the LGBT community rely on the open internet to organize help for the people in these groups and should not be in risk of losing this vital platform.
It’s time we take action and join the millions of people who have already spoken out against ending Net Neutrality. Go to battleforthenet.com for more information on how to help preserve our freedom of speech.
The impact of removing Net Neutrality would be devastating for marginalized people. An LGBT teen still in the closet may not be able to access websites that offer help and support because his/her parents can not pay for that package since they are unaware their child is seeking information. People of color, religious minorities, and the LGBT community rely on the open internet to organize help for the people in these groups and should not be in risk of losing this vital platform.
It’s time we take action and join the millions of people who have already spoken out against ending Net Neutrality. Go to battleforthenet.com for more information on how to help preserve our freedom of speech.